Maccabi Ashdod Prepares for 2026/27 Season with New Budget and Roster Moves

Maccabi Ashdod is actively preparing for the 2026/27 basketball season as it returns to Israel's top league after a two-year absence. The team secured back-to-back promotions last season despite operating with a significantly lower budget than its competitors. Currently, the club's budget stands at 8.5 million shekels, with ambitions to increase it to 10 million shekels through ongoing talks with potential investors and sponsors.

On the player front, key figures from last season are staying on, including league MVP Robert Turner. Recent signings include Sean Dawson and point guards Omer Ben David and Isaiah Hill, while guard Ziv Weisman joins on loan from Hapoel HaEmek. The club also exercised its option to retain naturalized player Ben Callahan Gold. Coach Dan Katzir's team aims to add two foreign players for positions four and five, though negotiations are complicated by the current security situation. Strengthening the Israeli roster is also a priority.

Management and organizational improvements are underway, highlighted by the recent appointment of Hagai Segal as spokesperson and Noa Confino as team manager, making her the only woman in such a role in the Premier League. The coaching staff includes head coach Dan Katzir, assistants Eliran Stein and Ofek Goldstein, and new addition Nimrod Tishman. Marketing and branding efforts are progressing alongside plans to build a new 5,000-seat arena in Ashdod.

Historically, Maccabi Ashdod competed in the Premier League for ten consecutive seasons from 2010/11 until relegation in 2019/20, achieving notable successes such as reaching the State Cup final in 2016 and the league playoff final in 2012.